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 Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 8:49 am
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Poetrali I've been working on "Assasin's Apprentice" by Robin Hobb. So far it's been really good. It has it's moments where it seems to be painfully slow but the story is still good.
I love that series to tiny, itty bitty bits! Oh, Fitz. You gigantic moron. It does get a bit slow, though, and seriously, Fitz is an idiot. But the world-building and characterization are so awesome! I re-read that series about once every two years. I never really got into Robin Hobb's other stuff, though. The living ship series, or the renegade shamany whatever books. They might be awesome. Maybe one day I'll get over the fact that they don't have Fitz in them and get around to reading them.
But yes. I'm almost done with The Gone-Away War by Nick Harkaway, and so far it's fantastic. I've been entertained the entire time.
1. What is the book about?
It's an odd sort of dystopian novel about the aftermath of the Gone-Away War, which used a new technology of obliterating matter by stripping it of all its information. But there were unforeseen side-effects, because matter stripped of information pulls new data from the human consciousness. So the world became a sort of nightmare/dream reality, and civilization only existed in safe zones... everything outside that is considered mutated and Other. The book's from the POV of one of the soldiers in the war. It jumps around in time a lot, from the guy's childhood, to the war itself, to the post-war world where he and the rest of his troop are sent out to protect the border. There's a strange mix of kung-fu, political commentary, and post-apocalyptic horror going on.
...basically, it's hard to explain.
2. Do you like the book so far? Why or why not?
Yes. There are definitely flaws--the narrative gets really unwieldy at points, and some of the plot twists are annoyingly gimmicky, but the writing style is wonderful. Love the character.
3. Have you previously read anything by the author?
No, it's his first novel.
4. Is it a series?
I believe it's a stand-alone.
5. Would you place this book among your top read? Why or why not?
Hmmm, no. Because of the aforementioned flaws, and because it really doesn't measure up to my other favorite books in terms of rocking my entire world. But it's up there at the top of my list of recommended books for sure, just because it's well-written and unique and a hell of a lot of fun to read.
6. Is the style of writing bizzare or new to you?
No, not really. But I tend to be very skeptical of 1st person POVs, and this one won me over. I also really like how it blends a lot of random genre elements (martial arts, socio-political revolutions, wacky sci-fi technology). |
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:25 pm
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Queen of the Orcs: Royal Destiny
by Morgan Howell
1. What is the book about?
There is a young human woman who by some magic or fate receives the soul or spirit of the dying queen of the orcs. She must then persuade the orc tribes to follow her and defend themselves against the humans even though they find her hideously ugly (white teeth, not black; no claws, she even has an obvious nose!)'
2. Do you like the book so far? Why or why not?
Yes. I do not usually like "palace intrigue" types of fantasy, and there is too much of that here, but there is excellent world-building, a convincing history, culture and language, plenty of action and sorcery.
3. Have you previously read anything by the author?
No, the trilogy is not widely distributed. I found it at an independent bookseller in North Conway, New Hampshire.
4. Is it a series?
This is the last part of the Queen of the Orcs trilogy.
The other titles are:
King's Property, and
Clan Daughter.
5. Would you place this book among your top read? Why or why not?
It was entertaining and not disappointing, but I have very particular standards.
The characters were not deep enough, the action was too contrived, and the language not as eloquent as the old masters.
It does make a credible case in favor of the orcs as a misunderstood aboriginal people and not inherently evil.
6. Is the style of writing bizzare or new to you?
No, it is much like most modern fantasy. What is different is the emphasis on sociology. In that way, Howell is a little like Ursula K. LeGuin.
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Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 4:23 pm
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:07 pm
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Hi! What better way to have your first post than rambling about books, right? smile
Right now, I'm reading Dark Reunion by L.J. Smith.
1. What is the book about? The series it's in, Vampire Diaries, is about 2 vampire brothers who absolutely hate each other because when they were younger, in the Italian Renessance (sp?), they both fell in love with the same girl, Katherine. But Damon, the evil brother and the one that bites humans and doesn't care that he's murdering them, wanted her all to himself and made her choose between him and his brother, Stefan, the good one who bites animals. But she couldn't choose, and chose both of them. She hoped it would bring them together and make them stop hating each other, but it didn't. They just hated each other more. Then she went out in the sun without a talisman that protects vampires from sunlight, and burned up and died (or so the brothers thought). Then they killed each other and turned into vampires by a guy named Klaus. Then now, in present time, Stefan goes to school in Fell's Church (I don't remember the state though) and meets a girl Elena, who's the popular girl who can get any boy she wants, and she reminds him of Katherine. They started going out, and it's a story of their love lives. But there are twists and turns that you'll have to read to find out, I'm not giving out any spoilers here xD.
2. Do you like the book so far? Why or why not? Yes, I love it so far. Although it did kind of remind me of Twilight at first, but it was way darker by the time I really got into it. I love dark books. I am so sick of love stories, and this one isn't really lovey-dovey or cheesy. Also I love the fact that they have kind of the classic vampire thing, when they burn up in the sun. I like that they haven't gone all "sparkly" (all the Twilighters will understand that) on me.
3. Have you previously read anything by the author? Nope, this is the first one. But I'm reading other books by her after I'm done with this.
4. Is it a series? Yes, it's called The Vampire Diaries.
The books in order are:
The Awakening
The Struggle
The Fury
Dark Reunion
They don't come in separate books though, the first 2 are combined in one volume and the second 2 are in one volume. I don't think they have them in separate ones that I remember.
5. Would you place this book among your top read? Why or why not? Yes, definitely. Because it has vampires in it, which I've loved ever since I read Twilight. And because it's a dark vampire love story, which I love. I love the dark aspect to stories. Love stories can be a bit annoying.
6. Is the style of writing bizzare or new to you? No, not really. I tend to read the same style in books. |
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:26 pm
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My first post here, anyways...
Right now I'm reading A Game of Thrones, from A Song Of Fire And Ice series by George R. R. Martin
1. What is the book about? Well honestly I can't really describe it all that well. Someone once said in one thread I was in, in the boook forums that it was sort of a fantasy version of the War of Roses, so there is plenty of political situations and problems in the book, it's in a medieval setting. The book itself concentrates on humans, and only once did they actually show the Others, a sinister race that seems from what I remember to made of ice, their voice sounding like ice cracking, with strange blue eyes, they are capable of raising those they killed from the dead, and they seem to hate anyone that is not them.
2. Do you like the book so far? Aye, I'm loving it so far, already bought the second book A Clash Of Kings. I can even name my favorite characters so far: Jon Snow, Eddard Stark, Robb Stark, Tyrion Lannister, maybe Jaime Lannister.
3. Have you previously read anything by the author? No, this would be the first book I have read from him.
4. Is it a series? Yes, there are currently I think four books out and A Dance of Dragons comes out soon.
5. Would you place this book among your top read? Aye, it's up there with The Stolen Throne, LOTR, The Hobbit, and most of Tolkien's book.
6. Is the style of writing bizzare or new to you? Well it was somewhat new with it constantly switching between each of the POV characters.
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:33 pm
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:05 pm
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this isn't a fantasy because it's for school :/
it's A Tale of Two Cities.
1. What is the book about? (setting, plot, characters) Please tell in a way that wont spoil anyway
"A Tale of Two Cities (1859), Dickens' greatest historical novel, traces the private lives of a group of people caught up in the cataclysm of the French Revolution and the Terror. Dickens based his historical detail on Carlyle's great work - The French Revolution - and also on his own observations and investigations during numerous visits to Paris."
It's set in Paris and London, and some of the main characters are Mr. Lorry, Charles Darnay, Lucie 'Manette' Darnay, Dr. Manette, Mr. Defarge, and Madame Defarge. haha.
2. Do you like the book so far? Why or why not?
It's getting better as I keep reading, but the beginning was REALLY slow.
3. Have you previously read anything by the author?
Only that one Christmas book. Can't remember the title for some reason.
4. Is it a series?
Nope.
5. Would you place this book among your top read? Why or why not?
I'm not really sure haha. Depends how it ends. I've heard it's really good by the end.
6. Is the style of writing bizzare or new to you?
Yes, hard to understand somtimes.
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Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:15 am
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EmmaIce476 "Ahead Lies Something You Need... Ok. I'll answer this in numerical order (Or so..)
Title: Inkheart
Author: Cornelia Funke
1.) (I'll type the back of it since I stink at summaries)
One cruel night, Meggie's father reads aloud from Inkheart, and an evil ruler named Capricorn escaped the boundaries of fiction and lands in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie is in the middle of the kind of adventure she has only read about in books. Meggie must learn to harness the magic that has conjured this nightmare. Only she can change the course of the story that has changed her life forever.
Characters:
Meggie
Mo
Dustfinger
Elinor
Resa(She is becoming important for a reason I can't tell...)
Basta
Fenoglio
Flatnose
Gwin
Farid
Capricorn
Mortola (thye call her 'The Magpie' or 'Magipie')
2.) I love heart heart the book so far! I love it because it's someting I've been dreaming about ever since I read 'Artemis Fowl'; To read the character right out of the book to meet them IN PERSON. smile
3.) I havn't read anything of Cornelia Funke at all before Inkheart, but we have Dragon Rider by her in our own little collection of books.
4.) Yes, Inkeahrt is a series. The next book is Inkspell. That's it, so far. It's a long book. This one is over 500 pages. Inkspell is over 600 pages.
5.) I usually place the book I'm reading on my top list. I have a lot of favorites. Like (these are mostly series) Artemis Fowl Series, Ranger's Apprentice Series, Percy Jackson Series, and now the Inkheart Series. smile
6.) This style is not new to me. All the books I have mentioned in Itallics (except Dragon Rider) are all very different. Special, in it's own unique way. LONG POST sorry....Oh! I forgot to add.. Inkheart Will be a major motion picture on March 19th, 2008. I saw it in the other forums and on youtube by the link on the forum given. And, the quotes "Because Fear Kills... ...Your Mind, Heart, And Imagination." Are from Inkheart too. But, I don't have it up. I have this one from Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories up instead. You'll see the Inkheart quote on toher forums. smile ...But to Claim it, You Must Lose Something Dear."
im reading the same thing and i agree with everything |
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Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:29 pm
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Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:31 am
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i read a lot in the summer.
my newest one is The Lay of Beleriand, by Tolkein
1. What is the book about?
It is about the history of Tolkein's Middle earth before we get to the time of The Lord of the Rings.
It is filled with elves, humans, dwarves, and divine beings, some good, some evil, some in between.
no hobbits or wizards though.
2. Do you like the book so far? Why or why not?
i like that much of it is written as poetry!
if you read The Silmarillion, the content is basically the same, but it is all in heroic couplets! i really liked that aspect of it.
what i do not much like is all the lengthy footnotes. His son Christopher edited it and he shows us sans of the originals which is fine, but his long explanations about what was erased and how the different versions differ gets too academic for what could be an entertaining book.
3. Have you previously read anything by the author?
just everything i could lay my hands on!
4. Is it a series?
this is part of a five book set, along with Lost Tales, and The Lost road.
5. Would you place this book among your top read? Why or why not?
i am glad to have it and may read it again because of the dramatic scenes, some tragic and bloody. but it gets to be heavy reading at times so it would not be a favorite.
6. Is the style of writing bizzare or new to you?
i am very familiar with Tolkein, but this poetic style was something new. it is like old fashioned verses that a bard might recite.
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Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:09 pm
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:33 pm
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:22 pm
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Hahaha, I dunno if this novel has been done before.... buuut.
I just finished a really quick, easy read that's quite an interesting take on fairy tales and the traditional views of princesses: Patricia C. Wrede's Dealing With Dragons
1. What is the book about? (setting, plot, characters) Please tell in a way that wont spoil anyway.
It's about a princess, Cimorene, who runs away from her dreadfully boring kingdom (because she is sick of everyone saying that certain things "just aren't done" by princesses like her), and voluntarily becomes a dragon's princess. She meets other princesses, refuses to be saved by knights, and eventually gets tangled up in a plot constructed by wizards.
2. Do you like the book so far? Why or why not?
I liked it, since it shows a princess with a spine :] Plus, the overall tone is light-hearted and funny.
3. Have you previously read anything by the author?
Nope
4. Is it a series?
Yep- first in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. I'll definitely be reading the next novels, once I get my hands on them!
5. Would you place this book among your top read? Why or why not?
Ummm... it would probably fall under my top easy reads. :] It's a quick novel that's rather witty and tips conventional fairy tales upside down.
6. Is the style of writing bizzare or new to you?
Not really- it's mostly satire, with funny bantering back and forth among the main characters. Nothing too deep.
I'd recommend it, totally! Especially if you don't have much time on your hands, like me this summer XD
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Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:49 pm
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Catherine of Aragon Sita Harker Catherine of Aragon The Strain by Guillrmo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. It's a vampire novel, but more on the side of old fashioned, Dracula-like vampires, not the sparkly ones from twilight...  How does it feel to be a puppet on my string?
Could you give a more detailed description? It sounds interesting.
 I am hollow... and I will live forever
OMG that sounds great! I'm totally looking it up
DarknessApproaches39 Hahaha, I dunno if this novel has been done before.... buuut. I just finished a really quick, easy read that's quite an interesting take on fairy tales and the traditional views of princesses: Patricia C. Wrede's Dealing With Dragons
That's my favorite series yo! I was so sad when I finished the last book... I still re-read them from time to time heart heart heart |
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:08 am
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